Apparatus, and associated method, for utilizing antenna information determinative of antenna operation in a wireless mesh network

ABSTRACT

Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating use of an antenna assembly forming a portion of a communication station, such as a node of a wireless mesh network. Antenna information is determined and stored at a routing table of the node. The antenna information is combined with an IP address or other identifier of another node to which a data packet is to be communicated. The antenna information is utilized to define characteristics to be exhibited by the antenna assembly to best facilitate communication of the data packet between the nodes.

The present invention relates generally to a manner by which tofacilitate use of an antenna assembly forming a portion of acommunication station, such as a node of a wireless mesh network. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to apparatus, and anassociated method, by which to provide antenna information to be used bythe communication station to utilize the antenna assembly in a manner bywhich best to effectuate communication of a data packet with anothercommunication station. An IP address, or other identifier, contained inthe data packet is mapped to the antenna information to identify in whatmanner the antenna assembly should be utilized to communicate the datapacket. Antenna weighting values, beam angle selection, and sectorantenna selection are all exemplary of antenna information which ismapped together with, or combined with, the IP address.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A communication system is formed, at a minimum, of a sending station anda receiving station between which information is communicated. Acommunication channel is formed between the sending station and thereceiving station. The information to be communicated by the sendingstation to the receiving station is communicated thereon. A wide varietyof different types of communication systems have been developed and areregularly utilized to effectuate communication of information betweenthe sending and receiving stations.

New types of communication systems have been developed and implementedas a result of advancements in communication technologies. Radiocommunication systems are exemplary of communication systems which havebenefited from the advancements in communication technologies.Improvements to existing types of radio communication systems, and newtypes of radio communication systems, have been made possible as aresult of the advancements in communication technologies.

In a radio communication system, communication channels are defined uponradio links formed between the sending and receiving stations operabletherein. The radio link upon which the communication channels are formedis defined, at least in part, by frequencies of the electromagneticspectrum. A radio communication system inherently permits greatercommunication mobility through the use of radio links, rather thanconventional wireline connections.

Digital communication techniques, for instance, are amongst theadvancements in communication technologies which have permitted thedevelopment and implementation of new types of communication systems.The use of digital communication techniques permits the communicationcapacity of a communication system to be increased as well as also toimprove the quality levels of communications effectuated in thecommunication system.

When digital communication techniques are used, information which is tobe communicated is digitized. In one technique, the digitizedinformation is formatted into packets, and the packets are communicatedto effectuate the communication. Individual ones, or groups, of thepackets of data can be communicated at discreet intervals, and, oncecommunicated, the packets of data can be concatenated together torecreate the informational content of the transmitted information.

A communication channel upon which packet data is communicated need notbe dedicated solely for the communication of data by one sending stationto one receiving station, as conventionally required in circuit-switchedcommunications. Instead, a single channel can be shared amongst aplurality of different sending and receiving station pairs. Because asingle channel can be utilized to effectuate communications by theplurality of pairs of communication stations, improved communicationcapacity is possible.

A wireless mesh network is a radio communication system which can beconstructed to provide for the communication of packet data. A wirelessmesh network typically includes a plurality of nodes, each node capableof communicating with at least one other node. A wireless mesh networkis implemented, for instance, as a fixed wireless access (FWA) systemcapable of communicating broadband data between fixed-site communicationstations which form the nodes. Proposals have been set forth tostandardize certain operations of certain wireless mesh networks. Oneproposed standard, an IEEE 802.16 standard pertains to wireless meshnetworks.

Implementation of a wireless mesh network is possible in an unlicensedfrequency band such as the frequency band located at 5 GHz. More thanone wireless mesh network might be installed over a common geographicalarea due to the unlicensed nature of the 5 GHz band. Also, other typesof radio communication systems might also be installed at the samegeographical area to be operable, or to have frequency harmonics whichhave significant components, at the 5 GHz band.

The unstructured nature of an unlicensed band, such as the 5 GHz band,provides significant design freedom in the design of a communicationsystem to be operable within the frequency band. However, the unlicensednature of the band also increases the possibility that signals generatedduring operation of one communication system within the frequency bandmight generate signals which interfere with operation of anothercommunication system operable at the same frequency band.

Use of frequency levels within the allocated band which exhibit lowestamounts of interference would best ensure that communication qualitieswould not be degraded. Appropriate selection of the frequency levelswould be required. And, reselection of the frequency levels would alsobe required if the frequencies of the interference changes over time.

A manner by which dynamically to select frequencies upon which to definechannels in a wireless mesh network operable in an unlicensed frequencyband, or elsewhere, would be advantageous. Existing proposals related tostandardization of wireless mesh networks, however, do not generallyprovide for dynamic frequency selection.

If a manner could be provided by which better to dynamically selectfrequency levels upon which to define radio channels, improvedcommunications would be possible.

Advancements in communication technologies also include advancements inantenna technologies. Antenna assemblies formed of multiple antennatransducer elements, for instance, are available by which to formantenna patterns of selectable characteristics. Through appropriateselection of the antenna pattern, data to be communicated between nodesof a wireless mesh network, or between other communication stations ofother radio communication systems, is better able to be effectuated.

For instance, digital beam forming techniques permit any of manyradiation patterns to be formed by an array of antenna transducerelements. Antenna assemblies capable of creating steerable-beam antennapatterns also provide a manner by which better to effectuatecommunications between nodes of a wireless mesh network. And, use ofselected ones of sector antenna transducer assembly also provides amanner by which better to effectuate communication of data between nodesof a wireless mesh network.

To properly utilize many antenna assemblies, information must beavailable by which to select to the antenna patterns to be exhibited bythe antenna assembly. The antenna characteristics appropriate forcommunications between a first pair of nodes might well be substantiallydifferent than the antenna characteristics which should be used toeffectuate communications between another pair of nodes. If a mannercould be provided by which better to provide the antenna information topermit appropriate selection of the antenna characteristics of theantenna assembly, improved communication qualities of the communicationsin the communication system would result.

It is in light of this background information related to communicationsin a radio communication system, such as a wireless mesh network, thatthe significant improvements of the present invention have evolved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, accordingly, advantageously provides apparatus,and an associated method, by which to facilitate use of an antennaassembly forming a portion of a communication station, such as a node ofa wireless mesh network.

Operation of an embodiment of the present invention provides a manner bywhich to provide antenna information to be used by the communicationstation to utilize the antenna assembly to best effectuate communicationof a data packet.

In one aspect of the present invention, an IP address, or otheridentifier, contained in a data packet is mapped to the antennainformation to identify in what manner the antenna assembly should beutilized to communicate the data packet.

In one implementation, a manner is provided by which to provide theantenna information to a node, such as a wireless router which includesan antenna assembly as a portion thereof. The antenna information isused to select antenna characteristics to transmit packet data toanother node. Associated with the other nodes to which the packet datais to be communicated is antenna information, to be used to selectantenna characteristics of the antenna assembly of the node.

The antenna information associated with the identifier, such as an IPaddress of the node to which the data is to be communicated, is used toselect the characteristics which are to be exhibited by the antennaassembly during transmission of the packet data. By selecting thecharacteristics of the antenna assembly to correspond with the addressto which the data is to be communicated. The antenna characteristics arepermitted to be optimized for communication to the particular locationidentified by the IP address of the data packets.

When the antenna assembly is formed of an antenna array capable of beamforming operations, weighting values to be applied to antenna transducerelements of the antenna assembly form the antenna information associatedwith the IP address to which the data packets are directed.

When the antenna assembly is formed of a collection of antenna sectorarrays for generating radiation patterns extending in separate sectors,the antenna information associated with the IP address selects which ofthe antenna sector arrays is to be utilized to communicate the packetdata.

When the antenna assembly utilizes a steerable-beam approach the antennainformation associated with the IP address to which the packet data isto be communicated is angular information in which the antenna beampattern is to be directed.

In these and other aspects, therefore, apparatus, and an associatedmethod, is provided for a wireless mesh network having a first node andat least a second node. The first node is identified by a firstidentifier, and the second node is identified by a second identifier.The first node has a first antenna transducer assembly at which totransduce a data packet communicated between the first and at leastsecond nodes. The data packet includes data values of at least aselected one of the first and second identifiers. Indication of antennatransducer-related information by which to direct operation of the firstantenna transducer assembly is facilitated, thereby to efficientlycommunicate the data packet between the first and at least second nodes.A mapper is coupled to receive an indication of the values of theselected one of the first and second identifiers included to form aportion of the data packet. The mapper maps the values of the selectedone of the first and second identifiers to mapped values. The mappedvalues include values representative of the antenna transducer-relatedinformation, and the mapped values are incorporate into the data packet.Thereby, identified with the data packet is the antennatransducer-related information by which to direct operation of the firstantenna transducer assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a representation of an exemplary wireless meshnetwork in which an embodiment of the present invention is operable.

FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of portions of thewireless mesh network shown in FIG. 1, operable pursuant to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a functional representation of operation of anembodiment of the present invention by which to map an IP addressforming a portion of a data packet to be communicated pursuant to anembodiment of the present invention to provide antenna information to beused by an antenna assembly positioned at a node of the wireless meshnetwork shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a functional representation of a routing table atwhich mapping performed pursuant to embodiment of the present inventionis embodied. In an exemplary implementation of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless mesh network, shown generally at 10, inwhich an embodiment of the present invention is operable. The wirelessmesh network includes a plurality of nodes, of which the nodesreferenced by 12, 14, 16, 18, and 22 are exemplary. Any of the nodes areable to communicate, either directly or by a hopping pattern, with anetwork management station 24 by way of one or more radio links.

The node 12 is coupled to the network management station 24 by way ofthe radio link 26, the node 14 is coupled to the station 24 by way ofradio links 26 and 28, the node 16 is coupled to the station 24 by wayof a radio links 26, 28, and 32, the node 18 is coupled to the networkmanagement station 24 by way of a radio link 34, and the node 22 iscoupled to the network management station by way of a radio link 36.Other radio links with other nodes and with the network managementstation can similarly be shown.

Between individual ones of the nodes 12-22, local communications areeffectuable by way of local radio links. The conditions of the radiolinks must exhibit appropriate characteristics, such as low levels ofinterference, to ensure that communication quality levels ofcommunications between nodes, and also with the network managementstation, are of acceptable levels. Directional antenna devices areutilized pursuant to operation of an embodiment of the present inventionto facilitate communications at acceptable communication quality levels.Radiation patterns formed by the antenna devices permit the energylevels of the radiation patterns to be selected to overcome interferingsignals and also to assist in the transmission and reception ofcommunication signals.

In the exemplary implementation, the wireless mesh network is operablein an unlicensed frequency band, such as the 5 GHz band. Due to theunstructured nature of communications of communication systems installedin unlicensed bands, there is an increased possibility that interferingsignals generated during operation of another communication system mightdisrupt, or otherwise interfere with, communications effectuated duringoperation of the wireless mesh network.

Operation of an embodiment of the present invention provides a manner bywhich to provide antenna information related to antenna characteristicsto be exhibited by an antenna assembly at a node of the wireless meshnetwork during communication of data packets between the nodes of thewireless mesh network. Through utilization of the antenna information,optimal antenna characteristics are caused to be exhibited by theantenna assembly, thereby to facilitate communication of data packetsforming communication signals during communication operations betweennodes of the network.

FIG. 2 illustrates portions of the wireless mesh network 10. Here, threenodes, nodes 12, 14, and 16, of the mesh network are shown.Communication channels defined upon radio links formed between therespective nodes permit the communication of information between thenodes. Here, again, the radio link 28 is shown to be formed between thenodes 14 and 12, and the radio link 32 is shown to be formed between thenodes 14 and 16. Communication channels defined upon the links form thechannels upon which information is communicated between the nodes.

In the exemplary implementation, the nodes form wireless routers capableof routing packet data between the nodes. In the exemplaryimplementation, a distributed transmission scheduling protocol, NETS(neighborhood established transmission scheduling) protocol is utilized.The scheduling protocol provides for collision free communication ofdata packets between the nodes. The scheduling protocol provides for thecomputation of transmission schedules based upon information obtained byindividual ones of the nodes about other nodes within two-hopnode-neighborhoods of the respective nodes.

The node 14 is here shown to include router circuitry 42 which isoperable, amongst other things, to manage communication scheduling,radio resource management, etc. A routing table 44 is coupled to therouter circuitry 42. The routing table is, in general, part of astandard IP (internet protocol) stack defined pursuant to the SS7, orother, logical-layer representation of a communication system element.

An RF modem 46 is also coupled to the router circuitry. The RF modemperforms modulation and demodulation operations upon data to becommunicated by, and data communicated to, the node 14.

An antenna assembly 48 is coupled to the RF mode. The antenna assemblyis representative of any of various types of antenna devices, such assector antenna arrays, a beam forming matrix array capable of exhibitinga steerable-beam radiation pattern and an antenna array in whichweighting vectors are applied to individual ones of the antenna elementsof the array. Here, the antenna assembly 48 is shown to include aplurality of antenna elements 52 coupled by way of weighting elements 54to the RF modem. Values of weighting vectors are applied to individualones of the weighting elements by way of the lines 56. The weightingelements 54 together with other structure (not separately shown)together form a beam forming matrix 58. The elements shown here to formthe antenna assembly 48 are exemplary. In other implementations, theantenna assembly 48 is formed of other structure.

The other nodes of the wireless mesh network, such as the nodes 12 and16 include structure analogous to that shown with respect to the node14. Such structure can analogously be represented with respect to theother nodes of the wireless mesh network.

During operation of the wireless mesh network, training signals are sentat selected intervals. The training signals sent by the respective nodesare used, e.g., to determine spatial characteristics of the radio links,such as the radio links 28 and 32, formed between pairs of nodes. Thespatial characteristics define spatial signatures associated withrespective ones of the nodes. For instance, a spatial signature isassociated with the node 12 with respect to the node 14, the spatialsignatures are utilized by the antenna assembly 48 to cause a selectedradiation pattern to be exhibited during communication of data packetbetween the node 14 and another node, such as the node 12.

When the antenna assembly 48 is formed of other types of antennadevices, other antenna information, other than the spatial signatures ofthe neighboring nodes and the weight vectors associated with the spatialsignatures, is utilized by the antenna assembly. For instance, when theantenna assembly forms a fixed-sector array of antennas, antennainformation used by the antenna assembly permits which sector antennaelements of the array should be used to communicate data packets betweennodes. That is to say, the antenna information selects the sectorantennas capable of exhibiting radiation patterns which encompass a nodein which data packets are to be communicated. When the antenna assemblyutilizes a steerable-beam approach, the antenna information utilized bythe antenna assembly forms neighbor-specific angle information requiredof the antenna beam pattern to best communicate the data packets betweena selected pair of nodes.

Antenna information herein refers to any antenna-specific information tobe used by an antenna assembly to facilitate the communication of datapackets between a pair of nodes. The antenna information providesdirectivity to the antenna pattern formed by the antenna assembly,thereby to facilitate communications between nodes of the network.Operation of an embodiment of the present invention provides a manner bywhich to facilitate storage and use of the antenna information, therebyto facilitate optimal communications in the network.

Also, in the exemplary implementation, IP-formatted data packets arecommunicated between nodes during communication operations. In otherimplementations, communication of data formatted in other manners isutilized. The nodes, here, exhibit full TCP/IP protocol suite support,and routing of data is based upon standard IP routing algorithms.

In conventional manner, data packets to be communicated during exemplaryoperation of the wireless mesh network are formatted to include a headerportion and a payload portion.

FIG. 3 illustrates a functional element 66 of an embodiment of thepresent invention to combine a portion of the header information withantenna information, thereby to provide each data packet, or selecteddata packets of a packet data transmission, with the antennainformation. An exemplary data packet 68 is shown in the figure toinclude a header portion 72 and a payload portion 74. The header portionincludes an IP address 74. The IP address of the header portion 74 isfunctionally applied, here indicated by the arrow 78, to the element 66.Mapping is performed by the element 66, and a mapped output is generatedon the line 82. With reference back to FIG. 2, the functional operationis performed by the element 66 are carried out the routing table 44.

FIG. 4 illustrates the routing table 44, here listing IP addressesassociated with different nodes of the wireless mesh network. Antennainformation associated with the IP address, relative to the node atwhich the routing table is positioned, is indexed together with the IPaddress. And, the resultant mapped information is also shown at therouting table. In other implementations, the IP address and the antennainformation are combined at other locations and in other manners.Mapping is performed from the IP address to be associated with antennainformation. The mapping is realized in the exemplary implementationthrough a table which relates the IP addresses to corresponding antennainformation, such as antenna weights, antenna sectors to be utilized,etc. The table is here shown to be embodied with the IP routing table.In another implementation, the table is separate from the IP routingtable. And, in a dynamically-defined wireless mesh network, i.e., anetwork in which nodes are added to, and subtracted from, the network,the contents of the routing table, and associated antenna information,are appropriately updated. As noted previously, the antenna informationis obtained responsive to analysis of training signals transmitted atselected intervals during operation of the network.

Algorithms executable to obtain antenna information, in the exemplaryembodiment, are defined in lower-level logical layers, where mostefficient, such as at the MAC (medium access control) layer or the PHY(physical) layer. Once the antenna information is determined, orotherwise obtained, the antenna information is communicated toupper-level logical layers to be stored in connection with the routingtable, such as the routing table 44. Port specific, antenna informationis then attached to a data packet which is to be transmitted, and iscommunicated back to the lower-level logical layers.

Thereby, the lower-level logical layers are able to be of relatively lowcomplexity. And, while determination of the antenna of the antennainformation is implemented in the lower-level logical layers, such asthe PHY layer, decisions on when redeterminations of the antennainformation are to be made are based, at least in part, uponmeasurements not available to the PHY layer, such as the link qualitydeterminations. Redetermination decisions are therefore performed atupper-level logical layers. Also, by storing the antenna information inthe upper-level logical layers, memory and memory handling operationsneed not be performed at the lower-level logical layers. In a furtherimplementation, route computation and optimization can be further basedupon antenna information, such as to minimize interference to other,i.e. nondestination, nodes or, for example, to enable more efficientSTMA scheduling.

Thereby, through operation of an embodiment of the present invention, amanner is provided by which to provide antenna information to be used bya node, or other communication station, to utilize an antenna assemblyin a manner by which best to effectuate communication of a data packet.

The preferred descriptions are of preferred examples for implementingthe invention, and the scope of the invention should not necessarily belimited by this description. The scope of the present invention isdefined by the following claims.

1. In a wireless mesh network having a first node, identified by a firstidentifier, and at least a second node identified by a secondidentifier, the first node having a first antenna transducer assembly atwhich to transduce a data packet communicated between the first and theleast second nodes, the data-packet including values of at least aselected one of the first and second identifiers, an improvement ofapparatus for facilitating indication of antenna transducer-relatedinformation by which to direct operation of the first antenna transducerassembly to efficiently communicate the data packet between the firstand at least second nodes, said apparatus comprising: a mapper coupledto receive an indication of the values of the selected one of the firstand second identifiers included to form a portion of the data packet,said mapper for mapping the values of the selected one of the first andsecond identifiers to mapped values, the mapped values including valuesrepresentative of the antenna transducer-related information, and forincorporating the mapped values into the data packet, thereby toidentify in the data packet the antenna transducer-related informationby which to direct operation of the first antenna transducer assembly.2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first node comprises a firstwireless router and wherein said mapper forms a portion of the firstwireless router.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second nodecomprises a second wireless router and wherein said mapper forms aportion of the second wireless router.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the wireless mesh network is operable pursuant to an IP(internet protocol) protocol, wherein the first identifier comprises afirst IP address, wherein the second identifier comprises a second IPaddress, and wherein said mapper maps values of the selected one of thefirst and second IP address to the mapped values, the mapped valuesincluding both the values of the selected one of the first and second IPaddresses and the values representative of the antennatransducer-related information.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein thefirst node includes a first IP routing table and wherein said mapperforms a portion of the IP routing table.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5wherein the first IP routing table of which said mapper forms a portionrelates the selected one of the first and second IP addresses to thevalues representative of the antenna transducer-related information 7.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first node is defined in terms oflogical layers having a physical layer and upper level layers definedthereabove and wherein said mapper is formed at a selected upper levellayer of the upper level layers defined above the physical layer.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the first antenna transducer assemblycomprises a first-sector antenna transducer capable of exhibiting atleast a first radiation pattern in a first radially-extending sector andwherein the mapped values into which the selected one of the first andsecond identifiers are mapped by said mapper include indications ofwhich of the first-sector and second-sector antennas are to be used totransduce the data packet.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the firstantenna transducer assembly comprises a first antenna transducer towhich a first selected weighting factor can be applied and a secondantenna transducer to which a second selected weighting factor can beapplied and wherein the mapped values into which the selected one of thefirst and second identifiers are mapped by said mapper includeindications of the first and second weighting factors, respectively, tobe applied to the first and second antenna transducers, respectively.10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first antenna transducerassembly comprises a steerable beam antenna transducer steerable towardsa selected radiation-pattern angle and wherein the mapped values intowhich the selected one of the first and second identifiers are mapped bysaid mapper include indications of the selected radiation pattern angleinto which the steerable beam antenna transducer is to be steered. 11.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the antenna transducer-relatedinformation, of which the mapped values formed by said mapper include asportions thereof, is calculated responsive to transmission of trainingsignals communicated between the first and at least second nodes.
 12. Ina method for communicating in a wireless mesh network having a firstnode, identified by a first identifier, and at least a second node,identified by at least a second identifier, the first node having afirst antenna transducer assembly at which to transduce a data packetcommunicated between the first and at least second nodes, the datapacket including values of at least a selected one of the first andsecond identifiers, an improvement of a method for facilitatingindications of antenna transducer-related information by which to directoperation of the first antenna transducer assembly to efficientlycommunicate the communication signals between the first and at leastsecond nodes, said method comprising: detecting indications of thevalues of the selected one of the first and second identifiers includedto form a portion of the data packet; mapping the indications detectedduring said operation of detecting to mapped values, the mapped valuesincluding values representative of the antenna transducer-relatedinformation; and incorporating the mapped values, formed during saidoperation of mapping, into the data packet, thereby to identify in thedata packet the antenna transducer-related information by which todirect operation of the first antenna transducer assembly.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12 wherein the first node comprises a wireless routerand wherein said method comprises the additional operation, prior tosaid operation of detecting, of providing the data packet to thewireless router.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said operations ofdetecting, mapping, and incorporating are performed at the wirelessrouter.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the wireless mesh network isoperable-pursuant to an IP (internet protocol) protocol, wherein thefirst identifier comprises a first IP address, wherein the secondidentifier comprises a second IP address, and wherein said operation ofmapping comprises mapping indications of values of the selected one ofthe first and second IP addresses to the mapped values.
 16. The methodof claim 15 wherein the first node includes a first IP routing table andwherein said operation of mapping said operation of mapping is performedat the IP routing table.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein the firstnode is defined in terms of logical layers having a physical layer andupper level layers defined thereabove and wherein said operation ofmapping is performed at a selected upper level layer of the upper levellayers.
 18. The method of claim 12 further comprising the operationprior to said operation of detecting, of selecting the antennatransducer related information.
 19. The method of claim 18 furthercomprising the operation, prior to said operation of selecting, ofsending a training sequence between the first and second nodes andwherein said operation of selecting is performed responsive to analysisof the training sequence.
 20. The method of claim 12 further comprisingthe operation of using the mapped values incorporated into the datapacket to select operation of the first antenna transducer assembly.